Dr. Seth Cohen will talk about his “View from the Top: The Intersection of Science and Policy in the Capital” on March 30, 2010 from 12-1 PM in the UCSD Biomedical Library Events Room. This lunchtime seminar is jointly sponsored by the Biomedical Library and the Science and Engineering Library.

Dr. Cohen is an Associate Professor in the UCSD Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. He obtained a B.S. degree in Chemistry and a B.A. degree in Political Science from Stanford University. He received his Ph.D. from UC Berkeley and did his postdoctoral research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He then moved to his present position at UCSD. His research and teaching at UCSD has been recognized with an NSF CAREER award and a Cottrell Scholar Award from the Research Corporation.

During 2008-2009, he was on sabbatical leave in Washington D.C. as the recipient of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Roger Revelle Fellowship in Global Stewardship. The Roger Revelle Fellowship is designed to engage practicing scientists in the science policy arena. Named after one of UCSD’s founders, and Revelle College’s namesake, this fellowship focuses on issues of “global stewardship” such as climate change, environmental stewardship, sustainable energy, and renewable resources.

Dr. Cohen’s fellowship allowed him to obtain a position within the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). The OSTP director is the Presidential Science Advisor. Dr. Cohen served under two Presidential administrations and two OSTP directors: Dr. John H. Marburger (Bush administration) during the first six months, and Dr. John Holdren (Obama administration) during the last six months. While he was at OSTP, he worked on a number of subjects including Presidential transition for OSTP, energy, biomedical research, scientific awards, and scientific integrity. Come hear Dr. Cohen share his insights and observations about his experiences in Washington, D.C.

Space is limited so RSVP as soon as possible in order to reserve a seat. Feel free to bring a discreet lunch; cookies and water will be provided.

Larry Squire, a professor of psychiatry at UC San Diego, currently serves on the academy’s governing council, which means three of the 12 members of the governing council are now from UC San Diego, a remarkable achievement for any research institution. –from the UCSD Press Release

Congratulations to Alison L. Coil (Dept. of Physics, Center for Astrophysics & Space Sciences) and F. Akif Tezcan (Dept. of Chemistry & Biochemistry), who were among the 118 (17 from the UC’s) early career scientists, mathematicians and economists named as Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellows for 2010. Each will received a $50,000 grant for a two-year period.

“The Sloan Research Fellowships support the work of exceptional young researchers early in their academic careers, and often at pivotal stages in their work,” says Paul L. Joskow, President of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. “I am proud of the Foundation’s rich history in providing the resources and flexibility necessary for young researchers to enhance their scholarship, and I look forward to the future achievements of the 2010 Sloan Research Fellows.” (from the press release)